Southampton firm hits the big time with London premiere

The cast of The Chosen took to the grey carpet in Leicester Square for the premiere of Season 4

Putting on a European film premiere in Leicester Square was a "different ball game" for a small Hampshire-based PR firm, its owner has said.

Hundreds of fans turned out for the screening of the first episodes of The Chosen Season 4.

The streaming series has been viewed more than 600 million times worldwide.

The premiere cost about £1m and took more than six months to organise, with all the planning taking place at Kova International's office in Southampton.

The company, which employs nine people, landed the job when owner Judy May had a chance-meeting with someone connected to the show at the Cannes Film Festival.

"They were looking for a publicist in the UK and that's how it came about," she explained.

Judy May said a chance meeting at a film festival led to the job

It is the largest project the PR firm has undertaken, with responsibility for every element from make-up artists to press junkets, flying in cast and crew, the VIP guest list, the after party and all the publicity on the night.

"We've done gala screenings before and flown over cast and crew but something like a Leicester Square takeover is a different ballgame," said Ms May, adding: "But now it's a service we know we can offer."

Her company was supported by sub-contractors and suppliers, most of whom are also based in the south of England.

Among them were Lizzie and Tom Redman, who travelled from Bournemouth to take the publicity photos for the premiere.

Ms Redman said it had been a step-up for their company, Redshoot Photography.

Photographers Lizzie and Tom Redman said it felt like "a big deal" to be involved

"We're used to shooting high-profile events with lots of pressure and this job feels like a progression," she explained, adding: "It's brilliant to be asked and to be involved, it feels like a big deal for us."

The Chosen, which tells the story of Jesus Christ, was mainly filmed in the US but the UK film industry is booming.

The new Shinfield Studios are set to fully open later this year in Reading, Berkshire, with Disney already using the site for filming.

Bournemouth-based company Envista Branding made the merchandise for the premiere of The Chosen, and owner Adam Baxter said he hoped there would be a knock-on effect for creative companies.

"As the industry grows we want to grow with it," he told the BBC.

"We see merchandise as a great tool to promote TV and film, we're looking forward to seeing what this has in store for us."

Adam Baxter's Bournemouth-based company made the merchandise for the event

On Monday night, the stars from the series walked a grey carpet and Irish-American actor Jonathan Roumie, who plays Jesus, said he was grateful for the work that went into the event.

He added: "Just look at this, for people to come out in the cold weather just to be here because they are so devoted to the show, and supportive of what we do, it really warms the heart."

The screening was a success but the work for Kova was far from over, with a press junket taking place the following morning, but Ms May said she was looking forward to reflecting on a job well done.

"It's been so busy I haven't had a moment to think about it but tonight, hopefully, I'll feel a great sense of achievement," she said, adding: "I want all my staff and suppliers to feel that."

Actor Jonathan Roumie takes a selfie with fans